John McDonald Installs the Salvaged Remains of MercBar into Bowery Meat Co.

Josh Capon and John McDonald's new restaurant, Bowery Meat Co. is shaping up to be a thoroughly modern steakhouse, in a thoroughly modern building, save for the beams that line the ceiling of the main dining room. Denizens of the Soho bar scene may recognize them from the now shuttered MercBar, which of course was an early McDonald venture. When MercBar abruptly closed last year, McDonald retained ownership of everything within the space. This included the beams (which apparently were not crucial to building integrity). "I stored them in the hopes of re-using them one day" said McDonald. That day has come.

Bowery Meat Co.: 9 East 1st Street, East Village